Arrangement for securing an attachment, such as a spray pump, to the neck of a bottle

ABSTRACT

A device for securing an attachment, such as a spray pump, onto the neck of a bottle consisting of positioning the spray pump on the bottle neck, and ensuring the fixing thereof by means of an intermediate piece bearing both on the barrel of the pump and the outside of the bottle.

United States Patent 1191 Bouvaist Dec. 17, 1974 [5 ARRANGEMENT FOR SECURING AN 3,198,399 8/1965 Sagarin 222/133 x ATTACHMENT, SUCH AS A SPRAY PUMP, g ecaux To THE NECK OF A BOTTLE 3,459,344 8/1969 Mackey 222/567 X [76] Inventor: Pierre Bouvalst, Impasse Terracol, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Tassm (Rhone), France 265,660 11/1912 Germany 222/567 [22] Filed: Jan. 18, 1973 [2]] App], No 324,855 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Joseph J. Rolla 1 1 Foreign Application y Attorney, Agent, or Firm1rving M. Weiner Jan. 19,1972 France... 1. 7203 ()11 [52] US. Cl 222/183, 222/3 1, 222/325 1 ABSTRACT 222/383 A device for securing an attachment, such as a spray [51 Int. Cl. G0lf 11/38 pump, onto the neck of a bottle consisting of position- [58] Field of Search 222/182, 183, 321, 325, ing the spray pump on the bottle neck, and ensuring 222/379, 383, 402,17, 567, 320, 384, 385; the fixing thereof by means of an intermediate piece 215/3, 4, 5 bearing both on the barrel of the pump and the outside of the bottle. [56] References Cned 8'Claims, 17 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,981,445 4/1961 Russell 222/383 X PATENTEB DEC 1 7 I974 SHEET 2 OF 2 Z AAQ will? ARRANGEMENT FOR SECURING AN ATTACHMENT, SUCH AS A SPRAY PUMP, To THE NECK OF A BOTTLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I-Ieretofore, it has been known to make sprays by fitting a pump to a bottle, which fitting is usually obtained by means of a screwed cap or a capsule forced on the neck of the bottle. However, it has been found that it is necessary to have a special type of pump for each type of bottle which is employed. From an economic standpoint, this is very disadvantageous because the 1 pump constitutes in and of itself the most expensive component of the spray, and also the shapes and sizes of the bottles are modified so very frequently according to the changes in fashion.

In light of the aforementioned reasons, there is at present a tendency to manufacture pumpless sprays, that is, the charges of which are in the form of aerosol cartridges. This type of system has a drawback in that it cannot be refilled, so that the cost of utilization is very high.

An object of the present invention is to obviate such drawbacks by providing an arrangement which makes it possible to use a standard one-piece spray pump, and to secure such spray pump sealingly onto a bottle of any type whatsoever. Under such conditions, because the pump is mass-manufactured according to a single pattern, the cost price can be considerably reduced. Moreover,.' this permits making a spray which is adapted to be refilled over and over again, it being sufficient to merely pour scent or spraying medium again into the bottle. A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a device for securing a spray pump onto a bottle, and the device includes in combination, the spray pump, a bottle provided with a neck. and the spray pump being provided with a stationary annular collar. The lower surface of the stationary annular collar is positionable to bear on the top of the neck of the bottle. The device also includes an intermediate piece which ensures the affixing of the spray pump onto the neck of the bottle by bearing both on the spray pump and the exterior of the bottle. The upper surface of the stationary annular collar is used as a bearing for the intermediate piece. The intermediate piece is providedv with hooking which is ensured on the exterior of the bottle.

The present invention also provides a device for securing a spray pump onto a bottle, which device is characterized in that it includes on the pump a stationary annular collar, the lower surface of which is capable of bearing on the top of the neck of the bottle, while the upper surface of the collar is used as a bearing for an intermediate piece, the hooking of which is ensured on the outside of the bottle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate piece consistsof a plate spring.

According to a further feature of the invention, the assembly is completed by a hollow rigid jacket engaged around the spring to lock the latter in position and to camber it, so as to prevent the spring from being inadvertently disengaged from the pump or the bottle.

An additional feature of the present invention resides in using a plate spring which encircles the bottle, that is, by passing under the bottom of the bottle, while the two end beaks of the spring engage on the upper surface of the collar of the pump. I

Another embodiment of the present invention resides in using a plate spring which includes an uppercrosspiece provided with a hole therein. Said hole allows the spring to be engaged around the pump barrel, over the collar, while the ends of the spring are shaped as claws adapted to hook under raised portions provided on the outside of the bottle. The raised portions may be formed by a thread on the bottle neck, or by a flange provided on the neck, 'or else by a ring secured or screwed onto the neck of the bottle.

As a general rule. the one-piece spray pump may be of any type whatsoever. However, a pump of the type described in French Pat. No. 1,430,243 and in the First Addition thereto, No. 88,512, is preferably used. This makes it possible, in particular, to emit a spray from a stationery spraying nozzle, such emission being more aesthetically pleasing. The angular positioning of the pump can be very readily ensured by means ofa ferrule provided with a flat portion to take up any play of the pump.

In accordance with an additional modification of the invention, the intermediate piece make comprise a strap the lower end of which is provided with an inner or outer thread adapted to be screwed either directly on the neck of the bottle, or on a locking ring provided on the bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view showing in perspective the various component parts of a spray constructed in accordance with a first embodiment'of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts the apparatus of FIG. 1 in an assembled condition.

FIG. 3 shows a view, partly in section, taken along the line IIIIII of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view taken along the line lV-IV of FIG. 3. v

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the playtaking up ferrule shown on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VIVI of FIG. 5.

FIG. -7 depicts another embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates the engagement members provided on the plate spring for locking the latter in the jacket.

FIG. 8 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 7 the plate spring locked in position.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the spring according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows an axial sectional view of a spray fitted showing with the spring illustrated in FIG. 9 in the case of a bot-.

tle the neck of which is provided with a flange.

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention showing a bottle having a threaded neck.

FIG, 12 is an axial sectional view showing on an enlarged scale the bearing ring screwed on the neck of the bottle.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show two further possible appearances of pocket sprays in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate further modifications of the intermediate piece.

FIG. 17 depicts a modified embodiment of the intermediate piece of FIGS. 15 and 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIGS. 1 thru 6, there is shown that the spray includes a one-piece pump 1, provided with a'push button 2. The pump includes a barrel or annual collar member 3 carrying a spraying nozzle 4 disposed above a stationary bearing collar 5. The device also includes a bottle 6, the neck 7 of which may be smooth, without any inner or outer raised portion. The bottle neck 7 defines a flat annular upper bearing surface 8. An intermediate securing piece, which comprises for example a plate spring 9 is bent according to a predetermined outline which enables it to surround the bottle 6 while passing under the bottom of the bottle 6.-

The spring 9 projects above the bottle 6 by means of two lateral Wings 10 each of which define a cambered area 11 and a hooking beak 12.

The device also includes a rigid outer jacket 13 which constitutes a hollow embellisher adapted to cap the assembly of the components l-6-10. The jacket 13 may include, for instance, an upper head 14 provided with a central opening15 through which the push button 2 of the pump freely passes. A port 16 is drilled in the front of the jacket 13 to uncover the nozzle 4.of the pump.

The assembly is preferably completed by an annular sealing gasket 17 which is adapted to be compressed between the collar 5 and the upper surface 8 of the neck 7 of the bottle 6. A play-taking up ferrule 18 is also provided. The front of the ferrule 18 is provided with a flat portion 19 having an opening 20 adapted to be aligned with the nozzle 4 and the port 16.

With particular reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, it is shown that the ferrule 18 may, in addition, be split at the rear. which gives it the shape of a horseshoe with two lateral limbs each provided with a notch 21. The longitudinal notches 21 are adapted for engagement in two lateral notches 22 on the barrel of the pump 1. The lateral notches 22 are disposed on either side of the nozzle 4 above the collar 5. This ensures that,-when the ferrule 18 is engaged with the barrel of the pump 1, the

nozzle 4 will lie in front of the opening 20. In addition, when the jacket 13 caps the assembly, the flat portion 19 of the ferrule 18 comes to bear against the inner sur face of the jacket 13, and thus ensures an accurate angular positioning of the pump 1, the nozzle 4 of which necessarily sits opposite the port 16. I

The method for securing the attachment or the assembly operation is performed as follows:

The ferrule 18 is engaged on the barrel of the pump 1. Then, the gasket 17 is disposed on the neck 7, and the pump 1 is fitted thereto with the pump resting thereon by the agency of its collar 5. Lastly, the plate spring 9 is engaged around the bottle 6 and the pump 1, with the beaks 12 of the spring coming to engage resiliently on the upper surface of the collar 5 (see FIG. 3). Finally, the jacket 13 is fitted around the plate spring 9 which results in locking the spring 9 while avoiding any inadvertent or untimely release, and also results in cambering the spring 9 to complete the locking of the pump.

It will be seen that the method and device of the present invention can be used regardless of the type of neck on the bottle 6. In particular, the neck of the bottlemay be a smooth neck 7 as illustrated in FIG. 1, or a threaded neck 23 as illustrated in FIG. 3, or of another type.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the assembled spray has an excellent aesthetic appearance which is q'uite'suitable for an article of small size, such as, for example, a pocket spray. It is merely necessary for the user to depress the button 2 to spray scent through the port 16. In addition, it has been found that the play-taking up ferrule 18 makes it possible to fill the gap which would otherwise remain free or empty between the nozzle 4 and the lateral wall of the jacket 13.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of the invention wherein the jacket 13 is locked on the spring 9 through a special type of engagement arrangement. To this end,.it is merely necessary to provide a notch 24 with a conjugate profile (dovetailed or thelike) in the wall of the jacket 13. A'tenon 25 having the same or mating shape is provided on the spring wing 10 and,

after the assembling, fits within the notch 24, as shown in FIG. 8, through an elastic deformation of the spring 9.

FIG. 9 illustrates another type of plate spring 26 which is provided with a crosspiece having a central opening 28 capable of capping the upper part of the pump 1. The plate spring 26 is provided with two lower beaks 29 which are adapted to engage under a raised portion integral with the bottle. The raised portion may be formed by a flange or a raised edge or lip 30 provided on a bottle 31 as shown in FIG. 10, or by a ring 32 as shown in FIG. 11, secured to the neck 33 ofa bottle 34. The ring 32 may be provided, for example, with an inner thread 52 enabling it to be screwed onto the neck 33 if the latter is threaded.

The assembling is performed by laying the transverse part or crosspiece 27 of the plate spring 26 on the collar 5 of the body of the pump 1, after which the beaks 29 are hooked under the raised portion 30 or 32. A rigid jacket 35 or 36 is engaged around the spring 26 which has been located as hereinabove described, with the jacket having a double function of locking the spring and cambering it.

It has been seen in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 10 that the jacket 13 or 35 surrounds the body of the bottle 6 or 31 entirely. In contradistinction, in the-case of FIGS. 11 and 13, the jacket 36 exposes the body of the-bottle 34 and covers only the neck of the latter, while the push button 2' projects above the jacket 36 on the side of which the nozzle 4 of the pump opens.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein the spray takes the form of a lighter. In this case, the upper portion of the jacket 13 is provided with a pivot pin 37 about which a lid 38 is adapted to pivot in the direction of the arrow 39 to uncover or mask the push button 2.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the

9 intermediate piece is formed by astrap 40, the profile of which has the following features. A slight inner chamfer 41 enables the nozzle 4 to be positioned inside drical barrel 3 of the pump by about 2/l00. A small inner bead 42 prevents the pump 1 from falling, as before introducing the pump, the push button is removed, while after the push button is remounted, the lower edges thereof come to abut against the bead 42 in the event of the pump 1 sliding within the strap 40. The strap 40 is provided with an inner thread 43 so as to be adapted to be fitted to any neck diameter, or to be screwed on the thread 44 of a locking ring 45 fitted to the bottle neck 46. The locking ring 45 may be independent from the strap 40, thus permitting the strap 40 to be made standard. It is also possible to replace the screw thread 44 by the spring catch system shown in FIGS. 1 thru 12.

With reference to FIG. 17, there is shown an embodiment wherein the intermediate piece or strap 40 is provided with an outer thread 47 which enables it to'be screwed within a locking ring 48 fitted to the bottle 49.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to only several preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be expressly understood that it is in no way limited to the disclosure of the aforedescribed preferred embodiments, but the present invention rather is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: l. A device for securing a spray pump on to a container comprising:

a spray pump; a container provided with a neck; said spray pump being provided with an annular collar member;

the lower surface of said annular collar member being positionable to bear on top of said container neck;

an intermediate piece which is disposed in direct contact with said annular collar member of said spray pump and with the exterior of said container and which ensures the affixing of said spray pump onto the neck of said container;

said intermediate piece comprising a plate spring which bears on the annular collar member of said spray pump and the exterior of said container; and a hollow rigid jacket engaged around said plate spring to hold said plate spring in a locked position to prevent said plate spring from being inadvertently disengaged from said spray pump or from said container.

2. A device according to' claim 1, wherein said plate spring includes an upper crosspiece provided with an aperture therein which permits engaging said crosspiece around the annular collar member of said spray pump, and said plate spring is provided with end claws which are adapted to hook under raised portions provided on the exterior of said container and thereby secure said spray pump to said container. 1

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said raised portions provided on the exterior of said container comprises a thread on the neck of said bottle.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein said raised portions provided on the exterior of said container comprises a flange carried. on said neck of said container.

5. A device according to claim 2, wherein said raised portions provided on the exterior of said container comprises a ring secured to said neck of said container.

6. A device for securing a spray pump on ma container comprising:

a spray pump;

a container provided with a neck;

said spray pump being provided with an annular collar member;

the lower surface. of said annular collar member being positionable to bear on top of said container neck;

an intermediate piece which is disposed in direct contact with said annular collar member of said spray pump and with the exterior of said container and which ensures the affixing of said spray pump onto the neck of said container; said intermediate piece comprising a plate spring which bears on the annular collar member of said spray pump and the exterior of said container; and a hollow rigid jacket engaged around said plate spring to hold said plate spring in a locked position to prevent said plate spring from being inadvertently disengaged from said spray pump or from said container;

said plate spring bears on the annular collar member of said spray pump by means of two end beaks formed in said plate spring, and said plate spring bears on the exterior of said container by passing under the bottom of said container.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said annular collar member includes a stationary collar and a dispensing aperture integrally disposed above said stationary collar.

8. A device for securing a spray pump on to a container comprising:

a spray pump; I a container provided with a neck; said spray pump being provided with an annular collar member; the lower surface of said annular collar member being positionable to bear on top of said container neck; I an intermediate piece which is disposed in direct contact with said annular collar member of said spray pump and with the exterior of said container and which ensures the affixing of said spray pump onto the neck of said container; said intermediate piece comprising a plate spring which bears on the annular collar member of said spray pump and the exterior of said container; a hollow rigid jacket is engaged around said plate spring to hold said plate spring in a locked position and to prevent said plate spring from being inadvertently disengaged from said spray pump or from said container; and a ferrule provided with a flat portion to predetermine the angular positioning of said spray pump on said neck of said bottle, said spray pump being positioned through said jacket against the inner wall of which said flat portion of said ferrule abuts, while said ferrule is positioned on said spray pump by engaging into notches provided therefor. 

1. A device for securing a spray pump on to a container comprising: a spray pump; a container provided with a neck; said spray pump being provided with an annular collar member; the lower surface of said annular collar member being positionable to bear on top of said container neck; an intermediate piece which is disposed in direct contact with said annular collar member of said spray pump and with the exterior of said container and which ensures the affixing of said spray pump onto the neck of said container; said intermediate piece comprising a plate spring which bears on the annular collar member of said spray pump and the exterior of said container; and a hollow rigid jacket engaged around said plate spring to hold said plate spring in a locked position to prevent said plate spring from being inadvertently disengaged from said spray pump or froM said container.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said plate spring includes an upper crosspiece provided with an aperture therein which permits engaging said crosspiece around the annular collar member of said spray pump, and said plate spring is provided with end claws which are adapted to hook under raised portions provided on the exterior of said container and thereby secure said spray pump to said container.
 3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said raised portions provided on the exterior of said container comprises a thread on the neck of said bottle.
 4. A device according to claim 2, wherein said raised portions provided on the exterior of said container comprises a flange carried on said neck of said container.
 5. A device according to claim 2, wherein said raised portions provided on the exterior of said container comprises a ring secured to said neck of said container.
 6. A device for securing a spray pump on to a container comprising: a spray pump; a container provided with a neck; said spray pump being provided with an annular collar member; the lower surface of said annular collar member being positionable to bear on top of said container neck; an intermediate piece which is disposed in direct contact with said annular collar member of said spray pump and with the exterior of said container and which ensures the affixing of said spray pump onto the neck of said container; said intermediate piece comprising a plate spring which bears on the annular collar member of said spray pump and the exterior of said container; and a hollow rigid jacket engaged around said plate spring to hold said plate spring in a locked position to prevent said plate spring from being inadvertently disengaged from said spray pump or from said container; said plate spring bears on the annular collar member of said spray pump by means of two end beaks formed in said plate spring, and said plate spring bears on the exterior of said container by passing under the bottom of said container.
 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said annular collar member includes a stationary collar and a dispensing aperture integrally disposed above said stationary collar.
 8. A device for securing a spray pump on to a container comprising: a spray pump; a container provided with a neck; said spray pump being provided with an annular collar member; the lower surface of said annular collar member being positionable to bear on top of said container neck; an intermediate piece which is disposed in direct contact with said annular collar member of said spray pump and with the exterior of said container and which ensures the affixing of said spray pump onto the neck of said container; said intermediate piece comprising a plate spring which bears on the annular collar member of said spray pump and the exterior of said container; a hollow rigid jacket is engaged around said plate spring to hold said plate spring in a locked position and to prevent said plate spring from being inadvertently disengaged from said spray pump or from said container; and a ferrule provided with a flat portion to predetermine the angular positioning of said spray pump on said neck of said bottle, said spray pump being positioned through said jacket against the inner wall of which said flat portion of said ferrule abuts, while said ferrule is positioned on said spray pump by engaging into notches provided therefor. 